Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“Been looking for a loophole in the paperwork since we found it,” Stone interjected. “Haven't found one yet, but nobody is perfect. He’ll have made a mistake somewhere.”
“I’m working on connecting his aliases,” Deviant said as he reached out for his computer and set it on his lap. “Sam Frankel technically no longer exists, so Stone’s working on those angles, too.”
“Basically, you’re telling me to sit and wait,” I concluded, my body practically vibrating with the need to expend some of the energy building from the anger inside me.
“Nah,” Maverick said with a smirk. “Here’s where the possible killing comes in.”
I raised an eyebrow, but held back from saying anything, not wanting to delay his explanation.
“Mav,” Fox sighed.
The VP looked at him with a hard expression. “If it were Dahlia?”
Fox’s whole body tensed, and something lethal sparked in his eyes. “Point taken. Still say it’s a bad idea, but I won’t stand in your way.” Then he smirked at Mav and drawled, “But you’re making the call.”
Maverick sighed, then nodded before turning his gaze back to me. “Give Stone and Deviant a day to come up with something. If they do, we’ll make sure Franks pays for his shit once he’s in a cell.”
Not my first choice, but certainly the one with the least risk of being taken away from my angel. “And if they don’t find a solution?”
“Rumor is that Franks took money from the Mafia to start his business and is behind on his payments.”
“The DeLucas?” I asked, finding that hard to believe.
Nic DeLuca was the head of the New York Mafia, and though he mostly didn’t interfere in their business, he still held a lot of power over pretty much every “family” in the United States. He’d also been friends with Fox for decades and a client of ours since Fox became our prez.
Other than being a criminal and ruthless killer, he had honor and integrity—something he had in common with the Iron Rogues. So I couldn’t see him getting into bed with scum like Franks.
“It’s just a rumor,” Mav clarified. “But most people think it’s true. So I doubt even the cops would be surprised if—”
“You want to make it look like a mob hit,” I deduced.
Mav nodded, an evil grin splitting his face. “Long as DeLuca’s on board.”
My brow shot up, suddenly understanding Fox’s comment about Mav making the call.
“Making a deal with Nic DeLuca?” Deviant commented with a whistle. “You got some balls, man.”
“What makes you think he’ll agree to do this for you?” I asked. “Prez, sure. But if he isn’t willing to get involved…”
“Anna,” Mav said simply, referring to Nic’s wife.
Suddenly, I understood his confidence. Just like Fox caved when Maverick brought up his old lady, Nic would understand my need to protect my woman.
“And we’ll owe him a favor,” Maverick added.
I could see how that would be appealing to the Mafia boss.
There was something I didn’t understand, though. “Why the elaborate scheme? Why not just make him disappear?” We’d certainly done it before.
“Franks is more high profile and is always in the media. Even though he’s an asshole and I doubt anyone will miss him, it’s asking a lot of our police to look the other way on this one. We’ll need ’em in the future, and I don’t want them getting skittish.”
I nodded in understanding. We had a good portion of the police force in our small town on the payroll, as well as the mayor, but they still answered to higher authorities. While they were often willing to overlook our activities, they wouldn’t break the law for us. Something we respected.
“So my options are owing a powerful crime family a favor in order to put Franks six feet under or sit back and wait, leaving Marnie vulnerable while Stone and Deviant look for a less messy solution.”
“That about sums it up,” Fox agreed.
For me, there was nothing to consider. I was gonna choose whatever kept Marnie the safest, which meant taking out Franks.
I scrubbed my hands over my face and exhaled heavily. “Looks like we’re making a call to the DeLucas,” I murmured.
Maverick nodded and pulled his phone from his pocket, pausing when I shook my head.
I stood and held out my hand. “I appreciate you being willing, but if anyone is gonna owe Nic DeLuca for this, it’s gonna be me.”
Maverick looked at Fox, who was considering me thoughtfully.
“Your woman, your decision,” Prez told me. “You can use my office.”
11
ICE
Once everyone had cleared the room, I sat behind Fox’s desk and looked at my phone. I hadn’t wanted to use Maverick’s, so he’d given me Nic’s private number.
I hit send and put the phone to my ear. It rang twice before a deep voice answered tersely.
“DeLuca. Who the fuck is this?”
I wasn’t surprised at his reception, considering someone he didn’t recognize was calling his private line.